Introduction
On June 8, 2021, at approximately 1600 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built ZODIAC 601 XL, registration N315SV, was involved in an accident near Mexico Farms Airport (1W3), Cumberland, Maryland. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Accident Sequence
The pilot, who was also the non-certificated owner-builder of the aircraft, departed from 1W3 for a local flight. While at an altitude of 1,000 feet mean sea level on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, the cockpit canopy opened in flight. The right side of the canopy detached, followed rapidly by the left side, causing the canopy to “pop open.” The force threw the pilot against his harness, and the airplane immediately slowed and descended. The pilot added full power and attempted to maintain level flight but stated, “it was like a giant air brake deployed,” and he was unable to maintain airspeed or arrest the descent. The airplane continued descending until it impacted trees and terrain. The left wing separated before the airplane came to rest in trees about 12 feet off the ground. The impact occurred about one-quarter mile from the approach end of runway 09.
Examination Findings
The fuselage was substantially damaged. The right canopy frame and latch were retained and examined. The canopy side frame with latch was mounted to the plexiglass canopy. Three layers of foam weatherstripping were layered on the bottom of the canopy frame where it joined the fuselage, creating a seal when closed. The latch hook (striker) was mounted on the airframe, and the operating latch mechanism consisted of a semicircular open-ended elongated notch that was spring-loaded and wrapped around the striker pin when closed; it was located aft in line with the seatbacks. When the latch was in the closed and locked position, it released easily during gentle manipulation of the trigger. The trigger was spring-operated and popped off on multiple attempts after slight finger pressure. The latch did not have a mechanism to fully close and lock from opening. The canopy frame and latch mechanism appeared intact with no irregularity or anomalous preimpact damage, and it functioned as designed. The airplane had two identical latches; only the right latch was examined. The pilot reported that his backup latch did not hold, but no other details were provided.